A sad end to the quest for Vandersteen speakers

[venkatcr]

It all depends on the customs official. But most customs officials can be bribed.

This is the most insensitive and incorrect advice I have seen on this forum. I have dealt with a large number of customs officials in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. I never had to bribe even once. As long as you are not doing anything illegal, I see no reason to even think in these lines. And, of course, you should not do anything illegal. Even when there was legal notice served on me by Customs in Chennai, I was able to clear the issue easily by providing the required documentation. I was advised by a number of lawyers and clearing agents to settle the issue through 'payments'. I simply refused. I worked with a honest lawyer who presented the case properly, and the notice was withdrawn.

Cheers

 

[sachin_k5]

This is the most insensitive and incorrect advice I have seen on this forum. I have dealt with a large number of customs officials in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. I never had to bribe even once. As long as you are not doing anything illegal, I see no reason to even think in these lines. And, of course, you should not do anything illegal. Even when there was legal notice served on me by Customs in Chennai, I was able to clear the issue easily by providing the required documentation. I was advised by a number of lawyers and clearing agents to settle the issue through 'payments'. I simply refused. I worked with a honest lawyer who presented the case properly, and the notice was withdrawn.

Cheers

You are the man ! Not only are you gifted with technical skills, you are a righteous person who will stand by what is right, a exception in developing India where everyone wants a easy way out. Proud to have you in the forum !

 

[Grama]

All,

What happens if we carry something with us when we fly back to India (after a foreign trip, not a transfer-of-residence)? Do we get charged the 30% or so, or is there a limit beyond which we get charged a higher luxury tax rate?

I have an upcoming trip to the USA ... and I find the description of Naim Unity very appealing. If I like it, I might pick it up there ... its list price is around $4000 ... if I am going to be taxed 65% or more instead or 30% or so, that is a big difference, and I would rather not buy it then.

Thanks,
Rama

p.s. I am not sure if the protocol is to create a new thread for such a question ... but it seems so related to the discussion here, this seemed the best place to pose the question. Apologies in advance if this is inappropriate.

 

[venkatcr]

What happens if we carry something with us when we fly back to India (after a foreign trip, not a transfer-of-residence)? Do we get charged the 30% or so, or is there a limit beyond which we get charged a higher luxury tax rate?

I have an upcoming trip to the USA ... and I find the description of Naim Unity very appealing. If I like it, I might pick it up there ... its list price is around $4000 ... if I am going to be taxed 65% or more instead or 30% or so, that is a big difference, and I would rather not buy it then.

This is a very difficult question to answer, but one many of us had tried to answer in other few threads before. Essentially it boils down to 2 things:

1. What the value of your item is. What you are allowed for a short visit is some Rs.25,000 of free import. Over and above that, the customs officials can charge you duty as well as a fine.

2. The airport through which you fly, and the way the officer judges you. If he thinks you are bringing it for your own personal use, you might get away scott free. If he feels you are trying to smuggle the item in for resale, he will throw all the rules at you.

Cheers

 

[murali]

This is a very difficult question to answer, but one many of us had tried to answer in other few threads before. Essentially it boils down to 2 things:

1. What the value of your item is. What you are allowed for a short visit is some Rs.25,000 of free import. Over and above that, the customs officials can charge you duty as well as a fine.

2. The airport through which you fly, and the way the officer judges you. If he thinks you are bringing it for your own personal use, you might get away scott free. If he feels you are trying to smuggle the item in for resale, he will throw all the rules at you.

Cheers

This gives me more strength in my search for the Holy Grail in the form of transparent, legitimate and citizen-friendly rules and regulations which should be apparent for an ordinary person like me and help decision making in a so-called progressive and democratic country called 'Bharat'. When I find the Grail, I shall let everyone know.

Till then, as the moderator implies, it depends on...

cheers.
murali

 

[malvai]

2. The airport through which you fly, and the way the officer judges you. If he thinks you are bringing it for your own personal use, you might get away scott free. If he feels you are trying to smuggle the item in for resale, he will throw all the rules at you.

Cheers

This is very true. It all depends on the Officers mood/what he had for breakfast/his general attitude/and the fact that he did or did not like the shirt you're wearing!

I have found that they can charge you duty on LP's at times and at other times another officer has let a similar package go as it is 'just a few LPs'.

In the case of speakers, Murali should get a friend or relative to speak to the local postal customs about this. I am sure it will be resolved with just the payment of 30% import duty.

A friend of mine just imported a pre-owned pair of B&W Matrix 804's series 2.
The key to his dealing was that all paperwork was in order. No undervaluation was done and the postal customs let it go: despite the fact that one cannot import such big packages without prior approval. As this was clearly done in ignorance, they just charged him an additional 20k in fines and he now a happy camper.

Murali, it is not so complicated. Trust me.

 

[arj]

All,

What happens if we carry something with us when we fly back to India (after a foreign trip, not a transfer-of-residence)? Do we get charged the 30% or so, or is there a limit beyond which we get charged a higher luxury tax rate?

.

from what I have heard you get a exception limit of INR12K per Person. hence is something costs 50K, duty of 30% will be charged on 38k if only you are present and 26K with 2 etc etc.
this is as per the value in the Customs own price and not necessarily on the invoice value. in theabsence of them haivng the price, they will consider your invoice value.

for really high end stuff please consider local price vs value+ duty.

finally but most imprtantly if I may add, if the Naim you are buying is a 110V one then you will never get the proper quality of sound even with a 110-220V transformer as quality of power is extremely important at this level of equipment.